Ice cream vending machine



NOV. 24, 1931. H, A BE|LGARD 1,833,815

ICE CREAM VENDINC MACHINE Filed My s, 192e 4 sheets-sheet4 1 l NOV 245 1931- v H. A. Bl-:ILGARD 1,833,815

` ICE CREAM VENDING MACHINE NOV. 24, 1931.- A. BElLGARD 1,833,815

ICE CIHEAM VENDING MACHINE Filed May 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3` A T Toe/vf Y NOW 24V 1931 H. A. BEILGARD A `1,833,815

ICE CREAM VENDING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheety l/vl/E/vroe l Harvey gef/gara f uNrrau STATES Patentedl Nov. "24,- 19.31

PATENT oFFlcE n' A. BEILGABD, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. 4

vIeri' man vENDLNG MACHINE Application nled Hay 3,v 1926. Serial No. 106,296.

Although the above title is indicative-of one important intended use of my present invention, it should be understood that this invention relates generally to the storageand handling of articles such as chilled food units, and to the units themselves, these units being novel in structure and d signed, in form, weight and composition, to be stored and handled in the unique manner hereinafter described. i

' It is an object of this invention to provide a vending machine comprising a drum which includes compartments radially and/or annularly arranged,each compartment being adapted to receive a rounded food unit of the special shape hereinafter described; and, in preferred embodiments of my inventon, the mentioned compartments may be disposed in superimposed tiers and may be'- provided with means whereby lower compartments,

although the articles therein are never subjected to compressive weight of articles in upper tiers, may. be automatically refilled from said upper tiers'.'

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine for vending chilled food units orfarticles with an eiicient cooling system.,

and with means obviating the use of any pivoted door for the delivery/pff such articles.

.It is an object of this invention to'provide a venting machine with means whereby the y i rocking of a sin le shaft,as -may be rendered possible by the insertion of a coin serving as a key, is effective to impart step-by-step rotative advance to an article-carrying drum, and is also effective to reciprocate a vertically slidableoutlet closure; and in preferred embodiments of my invention, the mentioned outlet member being doublewalled and the mentioned drum being provided with a stationary Hoor having an aperture beneath one of a series of peripheral'compartments, I-

mayv use not only an inclined lmean's'or stationary chute, upwardly terminating beneath l. the mentioned aperture (and leading therefrom toward an outlet through an insulated wall) but also a tiltableV article-receiving member whose movements are dependent upon the movements of saidslidable outlet itate cooling, to prevent or minimize thermal closure member and/or upon the reception of an article through said outlet.

It is an object of this invention t0 rovide a vending machine with a substantil y tight outlet closure that lis fool-proof and is 1naccessible to tampering land with a tiltable receptacular elementV which is automatically movable between an inner and article-receivingposition( in which it may extend through an insulated wall several inches in thickness) and a outer, article-retaining position,'-the latter position and the operation of this and related parts t0 be such as to permit a double walled closure member promptly to return to an' upper or closed position even though .a the delivered article be not promptly removed from said receptacular element; and, in preferre'd 'embodiments of my invention, this receptacular element may be pivotally sey cured within a removable housing for a coincontrolled mechanism and may normally occupy such a position as practically to constitute it an obstruction or lockl preventing the insertion of a hand or a tool for the pui'-, pose of moving the slidable closure or for the purpose of @removing contained food units, or the like. v It is an object of this invention toprovide, at the outlet of the vending machine, an overbalancing receptacular member which is adapted to' serve, when empty, as a slide or. subsidiary chute, and is lalso adapted to serve, whenever it has received an article of' such weight as to initiate a tilting movement, to hold the article in 'an external and readily accessible position,sai'd member being also subsequently serviceable, as abovef mentioned, to obstruct or prevent tampering; and, in preferred embodiments of my inventionthe dimensions and angular relationships and curvatures of parts and passages, and also the structure and operation of an y article-carrying drum and/or associated parts, may be such as at the same time to facilexchange, and to 'defeat alleiforts at pilferm0'. l Y 'llt is "an object of my invention to provide a vending machine having no constant y-open delivery passage through which warm and said insulating means but provi ed withfixed floors,-one or more of the latter being preferably disposed directly above a portion of said cooling compartment or means.

It is a further'object of this invention to provide a coin-,controlled vending machine with novel ratchet means for advancing articles,preferably in separate compartments, toward a point of delivery,-some`of saidv Kcompartments being disposed above a sta-l tionary apertured floor or plate which is efficiently cooled and is associated with a chute for the downward delivery of chilled food units through a double wall or insulating space; and, in preferred embodiments of my invention, a movement by ywhich anarticle is delivered into said chute is incidentally A en effective to depress a double walledor insulating slidable closure suiciently to permit the projection of a food unit through the. re-

sultant opening and into a tiltable receptacular element pivoted externally thereof.

It is also an object of my invention to pro- `vide a readily removable coin-controlled mechanism suitable for use in connection with the parts above mentioned,-this coin-controlled mechanism preferably comprising means whereby an inserted coin is effective, as

, a key, to compel an interior shaft to rotate shaft, disposed coaxially therewith.

with an exterior and manually manipulatable Summarizing the above, itnay b'e stated that 1t is an objectbf m invention to provide a simple,,rugged, e cient, economically (heated or) cooled, suitably insulated, air

, tight, fool-proof, tamper-proof, reliable and inexpensive vendingmachine, suitable for` use in the sto-rage and delivery of food units,-such as food units comprising ice cream, or the like.

Other objects of my invention may be best A appreciated from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, taken in connection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is, for the most part, a substantially --5 central vertical section, with parts broken Fig. 2 -is aA perspective view, taken from the general direction indicated by the arrow 2 of Fig. 1, but showing only certain interior parts and operatingkineans 'as hereinafter def scribed. n l

Fig.4 3 is a horizontal section, taken substantially as indicated by. "theline 3 3 of Fi 1. Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially as indicated by the line 4.--4 of Fig. 1.

Fi l5 is a horizontal sec/tion taken substantially 4as indicatedby the line5-5 of Fig. 6 is a vertical section, taken substantially as indicated by the line 6 6 of Fig. 5, butwslightly enlarged,-this View being in.- tended primarily to indicate relationships be tweenI apertured floors or plates, supporting superimposed tiers of food units, and radial partitions of a rotatable drum.

Fig..7 is a detail view showing a preferred type of outlet closure-operating mechan1sm,-this view being taken substantially as indicated by the line 7 '-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig.. 8 is a vertical sectional detail view, comparable with Fig. 7 but on, an enlarged scale and taken from an o posite direction,- substantially as indicated y the lines 8-8 of Figs. 1, 3 and 9.4

Fi 9 is a section in a roken plane, substantlally as'in-dicated y the line /9-9`of Fig: 8. l

igs. 10 and 11`are respectively vertical sectional detail views, t ken substantially as indicated by the lines 10-10 and 11-11 of ig. 9. c

Referring tothe details of that specific embodiment of my invention chosen for purposes of illustration, 11 may be referred to as ing adapted 'to contain ice or chemical or mechanical cooling means, or any preferred cooling (or heating) agent or organization, and being surrounded byk an annular drum or drums 12,12', occupying an intermediate space between an upper and constricted por-4H tion 13 of the cooling chamber 11 and an external insulating space 14. Insulation of any preferred character may be provided not only within the annular space 14, but therebelow, as in a transverse space 15, and thereabove, as within a space 16 provided interiorly of a removable cap 17 ,-the lifting of this cap being sufficient to provide access both to the mentioned drums 12, 12 and to thesl central refrigerating compartment 11.

1In order to provide for the delivery of food units, such as rounded units 18, successively through a .delivery opening or passage at the lower end of an inclined chute 19, or its equivalent, I may provide, .beneath the drums 12 and/or 12 (any desired number of ,drums being similarly superimposed) apertured and stationary horizontall floors or plates 20, 20',-the lowest. of these plates being identical with or directly above and in contact with a horizontal plate'21, comprised in the cooling compartment 11. Assuming the plate 20, to be provided with asingle suit able opening, as at 22, immediately above the 'chute 19, it will be obvious that a step-V by-stepwrotation of the drum 12, must be effective to deliver successive food articles 18, or the like, into the chute 19; and by providing the upper plate or door 20', beneath,v

a central cooling chamber,-this chamber be- 951 iso single aperture 22, (see Fig. 6) I make sure that as soon as any one of a series of radial vse ' mechanism, aA step-by-step rotation to the compartments 23, bounded by radial walls 24 of drums 12, is emptied by the delivery of a food unit through the passage 22, re plenishment is effected by the subsequent descent of a food 4unit from an upper compartment 23 (the upper compartments being shown as' similarly bounded by radial partitions 24') through the opening 22', and the plates or oors 202 20 may respectively be held stationary durmg the rotation of the drums 12, 12 by any suitable means, as by direct attachment (in the case of the floor or plate 12) to a vertical wall or to the plate 21 of the cooling compartment 11, and/or by means such as hooks or projections 25, 25 entering corresponding apertures or eyes'26, 26. The former may be connected (as by welding) with the floor or plate 20 and the latter may be integrally or otherwise connected with some fixed element, as the wall 27 which serves inwardly to define the insulating space 14 and incidentally to define an annular drum space, extending to the constricted portion 13 -of the cooling compartment 11.

The mentioned drum space, containing the drum or drums 12, 12', is shown as provided with a forward extension 28,'deined by flat sections 29, 29 a .nd a rounded section30, and as providing not only for the support of eyes 26, 26', cooperating with hooks. 25, 25 'by which the plate 20 is held stationary, but also for the housing of' certain resilient or movable parts,-including the inner end of shaft' 31 and a part of an arm 32, rigidly secured on said shaft and suitable for use in imparting, by any appropriate intermediate mentioned drums. For example, the shaft 31, shown as comprising an enlarged portion v33 which extends through the insulating space 14 (defined by the mentioned iner wall 27 and .an outer wall 34) may be sup-v portedl by means such as bracket bearings 35' and 36,-the former of these being shown the lowermost drum 12 by any suitable means,-

(see Fig. 2) as supported from the ioor or plate 20 and. the latteras supported from the former.l

The drums 12, 12 may comprise not. only inner cylindrical wall elements 37, 37 in addition to the mentioned? radial plates 24,

24', but also outer cylindrical members 38,

38,-.- the mentioned cylindrical members being rigidly securedv to those radial partitioning members which lie in the same horizontal planes therewith, and the upper drum (or drums) 12 being compelled to rotate with as by the use of interconnecting fingersor clips 39. These are shown (see Figs. 1 and 4) Yas extending through an annular space 40 in the floor 20 and as permitting the uplfrom the fixe r drum or drums to be removed, at will,

independently of the lowermost drum 12. In order to assure comparativefreedom of rotative notion the latter may be supported d floor 20, in any suitable way, as by means comprising rollers 41; and in orderto facilitate the imparting of the stepby-.step rotative 'advance to thedrum, the lower edge of the outer wall 38thereof may -be notched, as best shown at 42, Fig. 2, for

engagement by any suitable `ratchet device operable by means such as the mentioned arm 32 upon the shaft 31.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, -I may provide, in the flooror plate 20, an arcuate slot 43 attachin therebelow, as by means of a bolt 44 (optionally secured by a nut 45 having a washer 46, movable in a depression 47) a dog carrier 48,-this dog carrier being either resiliently movable on the bolt 44, or

provided 'with a resilient Adog or detent 4 9,

miv

and provided also with a means, such as a spherical socket 50, for the pivotal 'connection of a straight or -bent and unitary or composite rod 51 therewith-one erid of this rod tire carrier to yield downwardl during the return or opposit'e'movement o the dog 49; and, since the arm 42 must rotate in a plane at right angles to the shaft 31, whereas the carrier 48 is required to reciprocate in a horizontalplane and in conformity with the curvature ofthe slot 43, I may form the rod 51, of a central section 51a and end sections 515 and 51o, which may or may not be capable cure the remote ends of the sections 511) and 51el respectively to the carrier 48, and to the of rotation relatively thereto; and I may setally imparting vertical movement to an outlet closure element disposed opposite the lower end of the vchute 19.

- The cooling chamber 11 is shown in Figs. 1 .and 2 as provided with an in-set w ll 55 which may be in the same cylindrical lane with theA up er end of the chute'19, to provide space or the mentionedrotatable or reciprocable parts by which .the `d` m 12 (and any drum or drums superimpose thereon) may be rotated, and s acelwithin the o mentioned extension or cham er 2 8, provided in front of the said drum or drums, may ad7 vantageously be utilized to provide suitable means, such asa spring or springs 56 (see Figs. 1,3 and 5) .tending normally to hold 5 a slidable closure, such as a double walled and vertically movable element 57 (see Figs. .1 and 7) in an elevated position.

I prefer to impart opening movements to this closure element, by lmeans such as an 10- arm 58 and al rod or link 59 (see Figs. 2,8

and 7). within a coin-control housing 60, part- 1y or entirely external to the mentioned cylindrical outer-walls 34; The arm 56 may,

in this case, be carried by an enlargement 61 integrally or otherwise rigidly`secured upon the outer end of the shaft 31,33.; and it may bev rotatable withinI an aperture 62, provided 'in the wall 34,' byany suitable means,-as by aclutch orcoupling element' in the form of a transverse pin 63, adapted to be received 4within a cooperatingslot in a coaxial shaft or `other suitable member, which may be comprised in a coin-controlled mechanism of any suitable character,-my preferred coin-con- 2.5 trolled mechanism being illustrated in Figs.

8, 9, 10 and 11.

, The lower end of the rod 59, mentioned as adapted to impart downward movement to the slidable closure 57 (in opposition to the tendency of spring or springs 56) may i -be secured to the said outlet closure in any suitable way, as by means comprising a bent orfangle element 64, comprising both a section 65,'which is coaxially disposed but may ormay not be rotatable relatively tothe rod 59, and a horizontal or inclined section 66, terminatin'g ina spherical or other head 67, adapted to be retained within a cooperating socket element 68,--the latter'being, in turn,

`40 secured to the closure element 57, as by the engagement of a threaded member 69, integral with said' socket member, in an outer or frontplate 70 (see Figs. 1 and 7) of said closure member.

interlitting between .lateral walls 71 and 72, which may-be integral with the .outer cylindrical wall 34 and/or with the inner cylindrical wall 27 defining the insulating/space 14, may comprise (in addition to the mentioned frontiplate 70 and a parallel inner plate 73) a bottom member 74,side walls`75,

and a top wall 7 6; and the latter element may be provided, as in the-center of the top therel of, with an inclined depression 77 g extending ina radial plane with reference to the center of the cooling chamber 11, or its equivalent. 'This depression may be filled, when the closure member 57 is in this upper or elo-"ed 60 position, by a correspondingly. curved and inclined downwardly extending stationarymember 7 8,-which may, if desired, be supposition, llig some or all offthe'mentioned 55 insulating spaces. a ,v '1|' The closure member 57, slidable and closely The inclined depression 77 is so formed and positioned as to cooperate with an articlereceiving member s uch as a' curved and pivotedV receptacular element 79, shown best fin Fig. 1. This element may advantageously comprise an imperforate channel-shaped section 80, having rigidly connected'therewitha section 81, formed of a reticul'ated or pervious material; and the entire receptacular organization may advantageously be supported by means such as a horizor'ital pivot 82er:-

tending through at least one ofthe substan-` tially vertical walls 83, 83 of the mentioned lhousing 60 of a coincontrolled'device of somo preferred type.

It is important that the balance orvconnec-v Y tions of the respective sections 4or parts of the described receptacular element,be such that, as the closure element 57, is lowered,- by

the described means or by alternative. means of any preferred character, the said reception such as that iny which it is shown in dotted llnes in Fig. 1; and the 'massf/this receptacularelement is intended toibe so related to the mass of the oodf unit}s, to be received tacular element shall tip inwardly into a 'posiposition (in which it fits within the mentioned depression 77 in the upper end of the slidable closure 57) tofan outerl or upright position'such as that i' which said receptacular element is show in Fig. 1.

ADuring the relative .movements just re.-

ferred to, the freedom of motion of the slidable closure 57 may be'assured by the provision of a longitudinal guide element 84 upon the lower or inner surface of the upper 0r" inner section 80 of-the described r'eCeptacuIar element; and it will be obvious'that thede-4 scribed movements 'of the last-mentioned element are such as to enable-the slidable closure promptly and automatically to close, and such asto assure the .safe retention of the frozen food unit, or other article 18, in an external position, until the sa may be manually removed.

Itfwill be obvious thatthe described parts might be supported in anyone of a` great variety of ways, as by a base section 85, provided with legs or feet86 and. optionally with means, such asa platform 27, for the support of a receptacle 88,-this optional element being shown as insertable and removable through a door 89 and as so positioned as to receive any drip from a trapped drain pipe 90; but, as ,intimated above', it should not be supposed that the form and mass of thefood units 18, or other articles to be similarly stowed and delivered, is a matter ofindiierence.

I't is -true that giving-articlesor er1- closures the desire external configuration 1,sss,s15

and weight (asby providing a'two-part and comparatively heavy case of al predetermined type, for use in enc osing light articles) -the described mechanism ma "be usedin Avend-'l` shown iii Fig. 2 asterminating in a male ing a great variety of articles; and true also that the interior compartment 11, when provided, may be used to-con'tain either heating or cooling or other treatin means but, in any case, I prefer to provi e vendable units whose form adapts them to be separately stored upon end, within compartments of the general character described, and to reliably delivered therefrom in the indicated manner. For example, I may provide food units comprising unitary or two-part'shells filled with ice cream of such density asto give the desired total mass; and said shells may be so formed as to present different but invariably ovoidal outlines, according as they may be viewed in side elevation (as in Fig. 1) in edge elevation (as in Fig. 6)'or in top plan (as in Figs. 3 and 5)--the three dimensions or axes of each unit being diiferent each from the other, and only the longest axis (vertical) of each unit being in a plane of symmetry (radial with reference tothe axis of rotation of the drum 12, 12'). This de-v scribed shape, the thickest part of reach article being adapted loosely to interfit within a wide outer part of a compartment having radial walls-1s especially suitable to the economical stowage of a large number of umts and to the downward and inward delivery of the same, under gravity, through an inclined chute and into a tiltable receptacular element constructed, secured andmovable in the general manner described; and it may be noted that the shortest axis of a body 18,'

as shown,lies at right angles to the mentioned plane of symmetry, but nevertheless includes neither of the axes which lie in said plane,-. the center of mass of the article, assuming its substantial homogenuity being in fact below and downward from its geometrical center, as the article is retained within a compartment of mydrum. This shape is favorable not only to storage and delivery in the indicated manner but to easy grasping of the article so that it may be eaten from the hand, like an article of fruit or confection; and it would in fact be within the intended scope of my invention to dispense buns, sandwiches, fruits or confections, or similar articles in the general manner described; but my means for imparting a rocking movement to shaftsl, 32 and associated parts may be 'of'any preferred character and may be associated with a coin-control of any desired type,-prefer ably disposed .within and protected by the mentioned housing 60., l

In addition to. side walls 83, 83', mentioned above, the housing' 60 (presumably formed, like most parts'of my described organization, from sheet-metal) may comprise a front wall may provide bearings for a short operating shaft 92, disposed coaxally with the mentioned shafts 31--33-61,said shafts being it with the mentioned pin 63 whenever the housing is secured in the position in which -it is shown in Fig. 1.

The shaft 92 is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 as normally disposed below a transversely extending indentation or slot 94, adapted to receive and exactly to interit with a coin 95 (as, for example, a dime) this coin being insertable through, for example, a receiving slot or 'coin guide 96, projecting through the to 97 of housing 60 and externally provided v 'th a coin-receiving opening 98, of a known type; and the coin guide 96 may downwardly terminate within a perip eralv channel 99 in a lrotatable element 100, which surrounds an enlarged inner portio 101 of the shaft '92 and in turn carries not onl the mentioned clutch element 93 (slottedat 102 to receive the pin 63 .or an equivalent cooperating clutch element) but also an arm 103. l

The arm 103 may be provided with resilient means, such as a spring 104 tending to hold the clutch member 93, and all parts rotatable therewith, in the positions in which the same are shown in Figs. 8 and 9, although permitting rotation of the same tothe dotted linel position shown in Fig. 8, with consequent actuation of all parts whose movement is dependent upon the rocking of the shafts 31-33-61.

To provide adequate support for the mentioned lparts `and to prevent their accidental displacement, the shaft 92, or its enlarged portion 101 may be carried by, for example, a bearing block 105., shown as retained in place by bolts 106; andthe mentioned shaft enf largement 101'may be provided with means such as-a peripheral slot 107, containing a stop 108, which is shown as cooperating with a screw 109,-this arrangement serving both to limit the relative rotation of the shaft, 92 and to prevent longitudinal' displacement thereof. The shaft 92 may also be provided with means such yas resiliently pressed-balls or equivalent members 110 (see Fig. 1), releasably engageable within corresponding slight depressions in the relatively rotatable member 100, to steady the latter in one or both of the positions 'to which it may be rotated in the described manner, upon the insertion of a coin 95', to serve as a key in locking the 'rotatable member 100 to the shaft 94; and the Vengaginga lcircular .element 112 .rigidly sevcurled\thereon, to return the shaft 92 to the lll lll

coin-receivin position in which'it is shown in Figs. 8 an 9.

- It will be-obvious that the described construction is such that unless a suitable coin is inserted in the indicated manner, the shaft 92, may be'independently rocked by manipulation of a handle upon its external end, without any useful eil'ect. In preference to providing la handle of more'usual type,- I prefer.I

to secure to the shaftV 92, 'as by means of a set screw-113, manually engageable eans comprising a bell-shaped member 114 preferably provided with a radially. extending handle 115, especially designed to conceal and protect mentioned parts of the describedcoin-control, or attaching means therefor; and, ifdesired, th'e concave or bell-shaped member 114, (shown as provided with an 'inconspicuous opening 116 through which a Screw driverl wall 34, or in a member secured to this wall; and the front plate 91 of the housingO may( be provided with an aperture 119, to receive the outer end of a-bolt or projection. 12.0. shown as secured 'to both. the outer wall 34 and the inner wall 27. and as adapted to carry a retaining nut 121, or'other securing and/or e locking` means,-preferabl v within and protected from tampering by the concave member 114. Y f

At some point within the housing 60, as at 112, Fig.' 8, I mav secure a suitable coin box or afcoin receptacle; and it will be understood from the foregoing description that. assuming a suitable cooliner means to have been pro-- vided within the chamber 11` and suitable food articles 18 to have been introduced (as upon the removal of the described cover 17, into the compartments 23, (23') upon the introduction of a. suitable coin or coins into the slot 96 (and it is a merit of ,mv described coin-control that it permits a pluralitv of -coins to be so introduced that a corresponding pluralitv of articles mav be subsequently obtained. even though 'reciprocation of the handle 115. be deferred until after all of said coins are inserted l, a rotation of the' clutch element 63. b v the described handle-'or 'bv equivalent means. 'is effective not onlvto advance the drum 12.^suflicientlvto deliver an article or articles into the chute, but-also moversely of the separated walls 34 and 27. just p intime to receive the chilled food a r ticle, 18, i

reaches a position such as-that in which it is ently employed, but also'that numerous alvised, by those skilled in thear-t to which this lsaid chamber; article-carrying 'means' mountable closure vfor said opening;and a recepf wardly movable bymanual means land re- `turnable by automatic means,-said manualv as the same leaves the chute 19; and the mass and momentum of such food article, may then tilt said receptacular element into its outer and upright position, enabling' the slidable `closure to close under the action of the men--4 tioned spring` 56.

The introduced coin is permitted to drop into the box 122, whenever the arm 103 shown in dotted lines (at. 103') in Fig. 8; so that the shaft 92 -is then no longer keyed to the clutch carrier 100. The delivered article v 1'8 is thereafter removable from the receptacular element 81, at the convenience of Ihandle 115, to former positions, in readiness for a subsequent series of likeoperations.

Although I have herein described but one complete embodiment "of my invention, it.. should be understood not only that various features of my invention might be independternativeembodiments thereof might be decase relates, .WithoutA involving the slightest departure from the spirit and `scope of my inventiomavtl-xe same is indicated above and in the folle, lng claims.

I claim as my* invention 1./ vending machine comprising: an in-` .ner' thermal chamber; an 'outer insulating memberv enclosing said chamber article-carrying means therebetween; an opening through said insulating member adapted to permit the passage of articles .from said article carrying means a slidable closure for said opening; and a receptacular element pivoted exteriorlyof said .slidable closure, whereby the same is movable through said opening,- in .response to movementjof said slidable closure. l l y f 2. A vending machine comprising: a thermal chamber; insulating means enclosing ed between said chamber and said insulating means; an opening through .said insulating means .adapted to permit the passageof articles from said articlecarrying means; a slidtacular element pivoted exteriorly of said slidable closure and movable through said opemng, said slidable closure-being down-1A means .comprising a shaft and means asso ciated with said shaft to impart steplbyrstp Y i advance to said article-carrying means upon oscillation of said shaft. A

3. Avending machine comprisingi a the`r- 1. mal chamber means; insulatingmeans' en closing' said chamber; article-carrying means mounted between saidchainber and said in........i... -lsulating' means; an opening' through saidin- `su'lating meansadapted to the pas.-v

lili' sage of articles from said article carryingmeans; a slidable closure for said opening; and a receptacular element pivoted exteriorly of said slidable closure and movable through said opening,said slidable closure being downwardly movable by manual me-ans and returnable by automatic means, said manual means comprising a shaft and means associated with` said shaft to impart step-by-step advance'to said article-carrying means upon oscillation of said shaft, and said step-by-step advance being eective to release successive' articles, permitting the same to descend into said receptacular element during the intervals of depression of said closure element.

4. A vending machine comprising: a thermal chamber; insulating .means enclosing said chamber; article-carrying means mounted between said chamber andsaid insulatingA means; an opening through said insulating means adapted to permit the passage of articles fromsaid article carrying means; a slidable closure for said opening; a receptacular Velement pivoted exteriorly of said slidable closure and movable through said opening,-

manual means for moving said slidable closure downwardly; and automaticmeans for effecting a return movement of said closure, said manual means comprising a shaft and means associated with said 'shaft to impart step-by-step advance to said article-carrying means upon oscillation of said shaft, and said step-by-step advance being effective to ingof said receptacular element through said openings, into a position adapting it to receive an article from a `chute beneath said article-carrying means, said article-carrying means comprising a plurality of annular drums comprising radial partitions and removably positioned above apertured stationary floors,-the aperture in the lowest floor being directly above the mentioned chute, and an aperture in an upper vfloor being offset relatively to the aperture in the lowest lior.

6. A vending machine provided with stationary means for governing the temperature.

of. the vended article; article-moving means movable relatively thereto; insulating means circumfe-rentially disposed about said articlemoving means; means for delivering articles through an opening in said insulatin means and a pivoted receptacular element 'sposed externally of said insulating means and adapted to receive articles delivered therethrough, said opening being provided with a slidable closure and said delivery means being mechanically interconnected with means for the opening of said, slidable closure whereby the said receptacular element is t/lted into an article receiving inner position;

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 24th dayof April, 1926. f Y

HARVEY A. BEILGARD.

release successive articles, 4permitting the same to descend into said receptacular ele.-

` ment during the intervals of depression of said closure element, and the depression of ,said closure element being-incidentally ef-j fectiveto permit atilting of said receptacular element through said'opening, into a position adapting it to receive'an article from a chute beneath said article-carrying means.

5. A vending machine comprising: a ther: ma]l chamber; insulating `means enclosing lsaid chamber; article-carrying means mount"- ,l ed between saidch'amber and said-insulating means; an opening through said insulating means 'adapted to permit the passage of articles from said article carrying means; a slidable closure f0.1' said opening; and a receptacular element pivoted eXteriorly `of saidv slidable closure and movable rthrough said opening, said slidable closure being downwardly movable'by manual means and returnable by automatic means, said manual means comprising a shaft and means associated with said shaft to impart step-by-step advance to saidarticle-receiving means upon oscillation of said shaft, and said ste -by-step advance being effective to release slccessive articles, permitting the same to descend into said receptacular element during the intervals of depression of said closure element, and the depression of said closure element being'incidentally effective` to'permit a tiltios 

